CTC News

CTC is disappointed to learn that Jersey's legislature has agreed to make it compulsory for under-14-year-olds to wear helmets, despite fears that the overall public health will suffer if people are deterred from cycling.

The original finding, issued in January, upheld a complaint calling for helmets to be worn in adverts involving cyclists. Thanks to work by Cycling Scotland and CTC, that finding has now been reversed.

In a landmark ruling, the German Supreme Court has ruled that it is not 'negligent' to cycle without a helmet, hence there is no justifiable reason for reducing the injury compensation payable to helmetless cyclists. Now, CTC says the Highway Code needs to change.

The story in many newspapers and other media of a 16-year-old, Ryan Smith, who is in a coma after being hit by a van, is tragic, but doesn't mean we should immediately adopt a policy of making helmets compulsory.

1988 Tour de France champion Pedro Delgado has walked out of a meeting with María Segui, the director of the national traffic authority (DGT), in protest at the Government's plan to force cyclists in urban areas in Spain to wear helmets.

The national traffic authority for Spain has revealed a highly alarming range of proposals that seem designed to get cyclists off the roads. The following is a translation from Spanish campaign group ConBici's account.

Following Wiggins's flawless ride to gold at the Individual Time Trial, his response to the tragic death of a cyclist outside the Olympic Park has highlighted yet again the need for road safety changes to protect cyclists.

In May 2009 the Department for Transport produced a website called 'Knockin' Noggins', aimed supposedly at promoting child cycling safety. After complaints from CTC members the game was swiftly withdrawn.

Although MLA Pat Ramsey's Private Members' Bill to make wearing helmets compulsory for all cyclists in Northern Ireland passed its second stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Bill has subsequently been dropped following evidence to the Environment Committee from CTC and Sustrans.